JOHANNESBURG – South Africa is bracing for a potential wave of disruption as calls for a massive "National Shutdown" on 4 May gain significant traction across digital platforms. Under the inflammatory slogan "Send the foreigners home," various loosely affiliated groups are mobilising for what they describe as a "total cessation" of economic activity to protest the presence of both documented and undocumented foreign nationals in the country.
The mobilisation, which has sparked alarm in major urban centres like Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, and Durban, is being spearheaded by a group identifying itself as the "Concerned Citizens and the Voters of South Africa." However, security analysts and social media monitors have noted significant overlaps with the rhetoric of Operation Dudula and other vigilante-style organisations that have previously been linked to xenophobic unrest.
"People of Mzansi, we drive on 4 May – close your shops, don't go out, send the foreigners home," one viral video clip, which has been shared thousands of times on WhatsApp and TikTok, commands. The organisers are calling for all businesses, workplaces, and schools to close their doors in solidarity with a planned march to Mary Fitzgerald Square in Johannesburg, with similar actions expected in all nine provinces.
The rhetoric has escalated in recent days, with some organisers claiming the shutdown is necessary to "avoid civil war" by addressing what they term an "influx of immigrants" responsible for crime and unemployment. "If our requests are honoured, it will be peaceful," one message circulating on Telegram stated, "but if the government continues to ignore the will of the people, we cannot guarantee what happens next."
The South African Police Service (SAPS), currently operating under the leadership of acting National Commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane following the precautionary suspension of General Fannie Masemola, has moved to reassure a nervous public. In a statement issued late Friday, SAPS spokesperson Athlenda Mathe confirmed that law enforcement agencies are on high alert.
"The SAPS wishes to update the public on nationwide operations," Mathe stated. "Law enforcement agencies remain on high alert, with operational deployments intensified to ensure a swift response to any acts of criminality. We are closely monitoring the social media calls for a shutdown and have contingency plans in place to manage potential disruptions and to prevent any outbreak of violence."
The timing of the shutdown call is particularly sensitive for the SAPS, which is grappling with a leadership crisis and allegations of high-level corruption. The suspension of Masemola earlier this week has raised questions about the force's ability to coordinate a large-scale security response. "It raises serious questions about SAPS leadership, corruption, and whether organised crime has reached too far into the system," noted a recent security briefing.
Despite the warnings, public reaction remains deeply divided. While some citizens see the shutdown as a legitimate, albeit desperate, way to raise socio-economic concerns, others fear it will only serve to ignite xenophobic violence and further damage an already fragile economy. "This is not about taking sides; it’s about safety," said a spokesperson for a major retail association. "Our members are concerned that staying open will make them targets, but closing down costs millions in lost revenue and wages."
The right to protest is a cornerstone of South Africa’s Constitution, but authorities have been firm in their stance that this right does not extend to intimidation or the incitement of violence. "Any acts of violence, intimidation, or damage to property will be dealt with firmly," Mathe warned. "Those found breaking the law may face arrest."
Historically, South Africa has seen similar calls for shutdowns escalate into widespread looting and violence, most notably during the July 2021 unrest. The "Send the foreigners home" campaign echoes the tensions that led to the 2008 and 2015 xenophobic attacks, which left dozens dead and thousands displaced.
As 4 May approaches, the nation watches with bated breath. Whether the shutdown will manifest as a massive show of force or fizzle out as another social media-driven alarm remains to be seen. However, the level of anxiety in the streets and the high-alert status of the country's security forces suggest that the government is taking no chances.
